Post by chellecort on Feb 28, 2009 17:37:41 GMT -5

Hi everyone!

this is my first post on the boards, been lurking for about a week

I've seen people writing things about people heading to bonnaroo getting pulled over for stupid stuff and being from virginia I was just wondering what exactly were the driving laws there? at least what are the ones that differ from state to state?

Post by illyb on Feb 28, 2009 17:44:47 GMT -5

im sure you'll find they're mostly the same as Virginia. tennessee police are just very "enforcing" of the law. they love to bust young kids being stupid. just don't speed or do anything dumb and you'll be fine.

"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made."Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Soul of Man Under Socialism

Post by daear on Feb 28, 2009 17:58:42 GMT -5

Nothing special, just use your head and don't get too excited. Don't speed (at all...some of them WILL be more than willing to nail you for 5mph over at Bonnaroo time), don't make illegal u turns, come to full stops, use your turn signals, headlights on when raining, etc. I try not to give them any excuses.

Post by billclinton on Feb 28, 2009 22:00:45 GMT -5

Move over law is big, get over if you can, if a person won't let you over, they can be ticketed as well, so alwasy leave a big enough gap for someone to jump over. And yeah that's pretty much it don't speed at all. If you have to go through Nashville be careful around the city on all sides the interstates jump from 70 down to 55 and they like to catch people at those.

Post by areyoukind on Mar 1, 2009 13:36:19 GMT -5

*i like coconuts, you can break them open they smell like ladies lyin in the sun***Hell I don't even know where I am***for now I must sit here and ponder the yonder:The herbivores did well cause their food didn't never run***We listen, if it feels goodWe shake***You made a big impression for a girl of your size,Now I can't get by without you and your big brown eyes.**

Post by Ian'sGotAFeeling on Mar 1, 2009 13:52:14 GMT -5

Be safe, do 5 mph under the limit. You will get to Roo with plenty of time to enjoy yourself. The switch lanes if someones pulled over can also apply to a vehicle broken down also. If not, I do it anyways just for safety reasons.Be sure to indicate before you switch lanes/turn, not AS your doing so.

Post by illyb on Mar 1, 2009 14:23:11 GMT -5

"Few people understand the psychology of dealing with a highway traffic cop. Your normal speeder will immediately panic and pull over to the side. This is wrong. It arouses content in the cop heart. MAKE THE I HAVE NO DADDY! CHASE YOU! He will follow." - Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

"I just want to convey a message of peace and love for the 21st century. A message that will keep everyone happy. Please remember, the right lane is for driving, the left lane is for passing. So stay in the right lane unless you're passing." -Trey Anastasio, Big Cypress

"Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made."Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Soul of Man Under Socialism

Post by bohm on Mar 1, 2009 14:43:23 GMT -5

I hate it when people don't slow down or get over when there's someone on the side of the road whether it is a cop or someone broken down. And let the semi's get over too! Slow down and let them in, they're even worse to have in the right lane in those situations. And like Illyb mentioned, don't drive 72 MPH and stay in the left lane. Most states have laws where you can't be there for over a mile unless you're passing, and its just an a-hole thing to do just chilling there and making people pass on the right.

Just be smart. Don't be in a rush, you're going to sit in a line for 3 hours anyways, whats an extra 5 minutes?

And are there any cell phone laws? I could easily hide a bluetooth under the dreads but I don't know if there are any laws against cells or not while driving.

Post by tyler1077 on Mar 1, 2009 22:51:52 GMT -5

Okay for anyone coming from the south I-75 and 24. If you are coming from the Knoxville area be very careful from about Athens to Chattanooga. DTF and troopers sit through there all the dang time and will hide behind any and everything. If you are coming over Monteagle Mt, be careful on the down side. There are some holding spots where the troopers will sit and hide, pay attention to the speed limit because it changes randomly.

Post by bluecadet3 on Mar 1, 2009 22:55:54 GMT -5

Okay for anyone coming from the south I-75 and 24. If you are coming from the Knoxville area be very careful from about Athens to Chattanooga. DTF and troopers sit through there all the dang time and will hide behind any and everything. If you are coming over Monteagle Mt, be careful on the down side. There are some holding spots where the troopers will sit and hide, pay attention to the speed limit because it changes randomly.

This is good advice. The past 2 years I went, I have noticed troopers hiding in the median behind trees and bushes and you can't see them until you have passed them. They also hide underneath overpasses. Just be careful and don't give them a reason to pull you over.

Post by JHOinTN on Mar 2, 2009 0:44:13 GMT -5

^^Not around here! I was pulled over for going 64 in a 55. And I had a friend who was pulled over for "riding in the left lane". But that was in an outlaying area, late at night and she wasn't ticketed, just lectured. Just be careful, folks!

Post by Ian'sGotAFeeling on Mar 2, 2009 1:08:01 GMT -5

You can drive in the left lane, just don't cruise in it. That's a no no anywhere. The left lane on HWYs is designated for passing. On my drive there, I go with the flow, if there isnt one I usually just hit 70-75 and keep out a watchful eye. Nothing crazy.

Post by esprituptohere on Mar 2, 2009 8:50:47 GMT -5

When you're on the interstate in TN, keep an eye out for speed limit signs. They love to slide a change in and set up about a mile later to get you for twice as many mph over as you think you're speeding.

To OP: If you're used to Virginia, you'll be fine. Just realize that TN probably has more manpower, even if they don't have "aircraft" monitoring your speed, haha.

Post by furtiveagentx9 on Mar 2, 2009 20:48:17 GMT -5

As a Tennessean, I might tell folks to relax a little bit. Speed limits on most of our interstates (except in urban areas) are generally 70. You should be fine doing 75, and even then youll be getting passed plenty.

Just an FYI, we have a lax open-container law. That means you can have one open bottle of liquor/beer in you car for each PASSENGER (If there's enough for passengers AND the driver, you can be in trouble).I still have a hard time believing this law, so here's verification: www.tntrafficsafety.org/htm/Laws/open416.htm

Also, just because youre pulled over for speeding/not moving over for an officer/etc. does not mean you have to consent to a search. An officer cannot search your car without either a) your consent, or B) probable cause. Be smart, and keep any corn husks, etc. out of sight.

It's a little cheesy, but this should be required viewing for anyone thats ever had reason to worry about how to handle police run-ins:

Post by daear on Mar 2, 2009 21:51:28 GMT -5

I agree, normally going 75 is usually fine out there (I'm usually going between 75 and 80, I'll admit it). But, on certain roads leading to Roo near a certain weekend of the year, that can be asking to be pulled over. There are more law enforcement out ready to pull people over for whatever reason, especially given that most people don't know their rights when it comes to consenting to searches.

And yes, the state open container law is lax, but cities and counties often have more strict laws (eg. Davidson county, which includes Nashville, allows no open containers period). And, of course, they're trying again this year to get a more strict state law passed, so it's something to keep track of.

Post by mymorningwood on Mar 2, 2009 21:52:04 GMT -5

When you're on the interstate in TN, keep an eye out for speed limit signs. They love to slide a change in and set up about a mile later to get you for twice as many mph over as you think you're speeding.

To OP: If you're used to Virginia, you'll be fine. Just realize that TN probably has more manpower, even if they don't have "aircraft" monitoring your speed, haha.

Heh. Coming from MA I'm always most nervous in Virginia, not only because of their 'airplanes' but also the radar detector laws. Its also a deceptively large state to drive through.

Once your in TN just slow down... you're not far anyway besides the traffic jam.

Post by Ultimate Jesus on Mar 3, 2009 3:06:15 GMT -5

You can drive in the left lane, just don't cruise in it. That's a no no anywhere. The left lane on HWYs is designated for passing.

not here

I was talking to some friends and they were telling me California is just ridiculous as far as driving goes. They were saying it's one of the worst, as far as how people drive. Like, every car does at least +10 regularly on road, especially freeways, turn signals are just your way of telling the guy in the next lane to speed up (so we don't use them), and stuff like that. I mean, we get shit done, and get where we're going, but we have way more accidents because of it. And way more road rage. There is no fury like that you experience when the jerk in front of you is driving only 5 above the speed limit.

Post by wolfmanjess on Mar 3, 2009 12:09:10 GMT -5

You can get away with a lot in Tennessee, I just would not try it on during Bonnaroo. They issue 4-500 statewide tickets and almost all are to younger people who were caught speeding, or just get a DWGTB (Driving while going to Bonnaroo). The best bet is just to go the speed limit and don't advertise. The odds are way in your favor that nothing will happen if you just obey the speed limit, and go to the other lane for the flashing lights.

Post by billclinton on Mar 3, 2009 12:15:10 GMT -5

^^Not around here! I was pulled over for going 64 in a 55. And I had a friend who was pulled over for "riding in the left lane". But that was in an outlaying area, late at night and she wasn't ticketed, just lectured. Just be careful, folks!

Got pulled over by a trooper on Vietnam Vets Blvd in Hendersonville for doing 75 in a 70; thankfully he said it wasn't worth his time to write me a ticket.

Post by daear on Mar 3, 2009 12:34:47 GMT -5

You can drive in the left lane, just don't cruise in it. That's a no no anywhere. The left lane on HWYs is designated for passing.

not here

I was talking to some friends and they were telling me California is just ridiculous as far as driving goes. They were saying it's one of the worst, as far as how people drive. Like, every car does at least +10 regularly on road, especially freeways, turn signals are just your way of telling the guy in the next lane to speed up (so we don't use them), and stuff like that. I mean, we get poop done, and get where we're going, but we have way more accidents because of it. And way more road rage. There is no fury like that you experience when the jerk in front of you is driving only 5 above the speed limit.

I found all that to be pretty true with my friends out there. The first time I flew out there and my friend picked me up, within five minutes I had to ask, "Are you out of your BLEEPIN' MIND??"